Scottish star Ricky Burns will make the third defence of his WBO World Super-Featherweight title against the former champion Nicky Cook.

The pair will clash on Saturday 16th July at the Liverpool Echo Arena in a classic Battle of Britain.

Burns, from Coatbridge, is promising an exciting fight against his English rival.

"I've not had a defence against a domestic opponent yet, so I am relishing this one," said Burns.

"Nicky has always been a fighter I have admired over the years and he's a good fighter, and he we will be really up for getting his old title back on the night.

"But I will raise my game and deliver my first stoppage win as a champion.

"There's always something special in the air when England and Scotland clash, and this fight will be no different.

"Nicky wants his title back, but even if he produces the performance of a life-time, he won't beat me."

Cook, who was also the British, Commonwealth and European Champion at featherweight, returned to action at the weekend on the big O2 Arena card, beating Youssef Al Hamidi on points after a long injury lay off.

And he says he is desperate to get his WBO belt back after losing to Roman Martinez - who Burns beat in a thrilling battle last September to claim the title - more than two years ago.

"I'm still hurting from that night," said Dagenham's Cook.

"The only way to heal the pain is to beat Ricky Burns.

"I felt I had the better of Martinez but I got sloppy and I got punished.

"But I won't make the same mistake again.

"Burns has done well as champion, but believe me, I'm going in their all guns blazing to win back my old belt.

"I beat a Scotsman in Alex Arthur to win the title, and I'll beat another one to get it back."

"But I will raise my game and deliver my first stoppage win as a champion." ???? If Ricky Burns really said that about his next defence he should be checked for Alzheimers, given his last defence didn't go the distance. Conclusion? That's a bum quote.